Family fleeing floods in Texas not allowed to bring dogs inside hotel

For one family in Texas, escaping the torrential rain and finding a hotel to stay in seemed like a prayer answered until they discovered one heartbreaking stipulation regarding the three pets they had traveling with them.

The Parker family consists of Gillian, her husband Phillip, their teenage daughter Allison, her grandmother and, of course, their three dogs. Gillian says the dogs, Arrow, Wiggum and Buttercup were all saved when the family packed up to escape the flooding heading towards their home from Harvey.

Unfortunately, Gillian Parker explained to People magazine, when they finally found a hotel to stay at, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Katy, Texas, management informed them that the three dogs could not stay inside the rooms.

Parker said they were told the hotel had a strict “no pets” policy that wouldn’t be broken.

So, for now, the family takes turns spending the night in their car with the three pooches.

The family told People that they even tried working with management but the company did not budge on the rule. Because the family fears being kicked out of the hotel, they’ve been abiding by the rule despite the difficulties.

“It’s pouring rain,” Gillian explained to People. “You’re soaked to the bone just getting there, and walking them is even worse. The rain felt like needles in your face. And you end up shivering in the car. It’s just … I’m just chagrined, irritated, cold, wet, tired, and exhausted.”

Having their pets sleeping in a car outside isn’t the family’s only worry this week, however. People reports that the Parker’s neighborhood is expected to inundated Tuesday, the water levels predicted to bypass the 58-ft. levees.

People said they reached out to the manager of the hotel on its pet policy but was told that the rule will remain in place for the time being.

“Our hotel is a not pet-friendly hotel,” the hotel manager said. “We do offer our guests areas where they can take their pets to be kenneled. There’s locations here down the street that are able to take their pets if they like.”

Gillian says the kennel that is closest to the hotel is closed, though. The family told People they are hoping the hotel management or the corporate team will change its mind.